During the operation, officers identified individuals collecting end-of-life vehicles without permits and failing to bring cars to authorised treatment facilities.

A total of €7.97 million in benefits were written off last year, up more than €300,000 on the equivalent figure of €7.64 million from 2023.

Storm Éowyn left thousands of people without power across the country after it hit the country in January. 

Official figures provided in response to a parliamentary question by Social Democrats TD, Aidan Farrelly, show that 10,232 unemployed individuals had their social welfare payments reduced in 2024, compared to 5,235 the previous year.

Darius Musinskas, 56, who was later acquitted of people smuggling, had unlawfully claimed €17,000 from the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) under an assumed identity

The Minister for Social Protection has been told of the difficulties people who receive disability payments have as they call for an increase in the payments

The department said there were a variety of reasons for overpayments including genuine errors by claimants or welfare staff as well as deliberate bogus claims.

Margaret Bergin, 73, a married mother of three of Fairfield House, Mountrath, Co Laois, pleaded guilty to 10 sample counts of theft and five sample counts of larceny

Cabinet is expected to sign off on moves to streamline the entitlements of all International Protection applicants and those who fled the war in Ukraine

The case is regarded as a test case which may have implications for a large number of social welfare appeals that have been declined

Arthur Batistis (51) stole $1,000 from the American woman after recording her card details

A new report published by the department said it did not hold the view that Long Covid should be added to the existing list of occupational diseases.